Daniel’s on target for Youth Olympic Festival glory

PETWORTH shooter Daniel Tarrant insists the best way to put his London 2012 heartbreak behind him would be by claiming gold at this month’s Australian Youth Olympic Festival.

Despite being one of the youngest to represent Britain at the European Championships back in May, Tarrant missed out on a place at London 2012 as Edward Ling was preferred in the trap discipline – going on to finish 21st.

But the 16-year-old has been selected as one of 120 Brits who will go to the Australian Youth Olympic Festival to take on the best young athletes in the world with events kicking off on Wednesday (Jan 16).

And for Tarrant, a Seaford College pupil, the chance to right the wrongs of last summer is something he is desperate to get right.

“I am really looking forward to getting out there,” said Tarrant. “For me it was something out of the blue because my original aim had been to make London 2012 but unfortunately I just missed out on that.

“But I’m fortunate this opportunity has come along and I’m grateful I’ve been given the chance to make up for that disappointment.

“It was disappointing not making it to London 2012 but at the end of the day there is always the Commonwealth Games and the next Olympics in Rio.

“I am always looking ahead, not back, and being selected for this is a great boost towards those competitions.”

Team GB’s shooters enjoyed a mixed time at London 2012, Peter Wilson the real success story as he claimed gold in the double trap event.

No other British shooter managed to advance to a final at the Games but Tarrant is adamant he will more than make up for this disappointment in Australia.

“I have represented Britain abroad and up and down the country, as well as representing England. It doesn’t make me nervous at all and I actually thrive on pressure so I’m good at that,” he added.

“The main thing I get out of it is the experience because there are not many people who get that experience and it really helps you deal with it.

“Somebody asked me before ‘how many targets do you shoot?’ It is 25 but really it is just the one you aim for and that is gold.”

* The British Olympic Association prepare and lead British athletes at the summer, winter and youth Olympic Games. They work in partnership with sport national governing bodies to enhance Olympic success and are responsible for championing the Olympic values. See www.olympics.org.uk